Founded in 1993, the New Bedford Museum of Glass is developing an extensive collection of beautiful art glass, including fine examples by Steuben, Tiffany, Durand, Quezal, and New Bedford’s celebrated Mt. Washington and Pairpoint glass factories. Mr. Nelson will present highlights of the collection, and also describe the museum’s new home at the James Arnold Mansion, which served during the 1870s and ’80s as the elegant Victorian residence of William J. Rotch, the president of the Mt. Washington company.

Kirk Nelson has served as Executive Director of The New Bedford Museum of Glass, Inc. since 2006. He previously served as Curator of Glass at The Sandwich Glass Museum in Sandwich MA and Curator of Art and Decorative Arts at The Bennington Museum in Bennington VT. As a museum curator, historian, and scholar Nelson has dedicated his multifaceted career to advancing public appreciation for the artistry and science of glass. Nelson earned a Master of Arts degree and Certificate of Museum Studies from the Winterthur Program in Early American Culture at The Winterthur Museum and the University of Delaware, with a course concentration in American decorative arts and history. Nelson has personally curated numerous exhibitions all around the New England area. He is a frequent lecturer and has published extensively on a wide variety of glass-related topics.